Kent spinner James Tredwell greeted his England recall this week with surprise and delight.

He was at home on Sunday morning when national selector Geoff Miller rang with the good news that the off-spinner had been included in the 16-man squad for the two Test tour to Sri Lanka later this month.

It was an early birthday present for Tredwell (pictured), who turned 30 on Monday, coming 11 months after his last appearance for England in the World Cup quarter-final defeat in Colombo.

He is one of four spinners named in the party alongside Graeme Swann, Monty Panesar and Samit Patel, and while many people may have written off his international chances, Tredwell refused to admit the door had been closed forever.

He said: "I had confidence in my own ability after what I had done before. In the game before my last one in Chennai, I was man-of-the-match, and I think I did all right.

"I am just delighted to be involved. I was really excited to get the news.

"I am going out there with my eyes wide open, aiming to put in the performances.

"I might not play, but I want to work on my game, hopefully get a chance in one of the warm-up games to show what I can do."

Tredwell leaves on Monday for two weeks’ acclimatisation and is set to miss the start of the county season, on April 5.